As the 2014 NFL season kicks off there is still much talk
about the numerous players that will be missing on opening day because of
suspensions. These suspensions are divided among the substance abuse policy;
PED (Performance Enhancing Drug) policy and the personal conduct policy. There
is even an owner suspended for part of the season. NFL Commissioner Roger
Goodell was suspended Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay for 6 games and fined
him $500,000. During his suspension Irsay cannot attend Colts games, visit the
Colts facility or be involved in the day-to-day operations of the team. Roger
Goodell has been known for coming down hard on NFL players for various policy
violations, so he had to come down hard on Irsay to not show favoritism, even
though the owners pay his salary.
The head of the NFL Players Association, DeMaurice Smith is
in discussion with the NFL about revising their policy on performance-enhancing
drugs. If a new policy were reached the union would want this years suspensions
reversed and retroactive to the new policy. Denver Bronco receiver Wes Welker
was suspended under the leagues PED policy, but under a revised policy his
offense would fall under the substance abuse policy and he would be in
treatment and not suspended. Under the substance abuse policy a player may have
multiple offenses before a suspension occurs. Cleveland Brown receiver Josh
Gordon who has been suspended for the entire 2014 may also benefit from a
policy revision. Gordon was suspended under substance abuse policy for multiple
violations; retroactive revisions may allow him to see the playing field in
2014.
In another policy change the NFL wants to be able to punish
players for simply getting arrested. This would be a case of guilty until
proven innocent. This policy would not allow for the legal process to play out,
the punishment would come between the arrest and the final deposition of the
case. The NFL Players Association said they would not agree to any policy
punishing players for only getting arrested.
What are your views on not only player suspensions but
suspensions of coaches and owners? Please comment.
